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captured from Lokko would then fall into the hands of Belinian； and my
camp； protected by a weak force； was to be surprised。
I pretended to enter into this scheme； but I expressed a doubt whether
they would perform their part of the engagement； and convey the corn
from Lokko to Gondokoro。 This they declared emphatically they would do
without failing。
I proposed； that if they could convey such an enormous quantity so great
a distance from Lokko to Gondokoro； they should first prove their
fidelity by transporting the few hundred urdeps from our Belinian camp
to head…quarters。 If they would assist us in this manner； they should be
paid for their trouble； and I should then believe in their sincerity。 On
the other hand； if they refused； I should be perfectly certain that they
would also decline to transport the corn from Lokko； and that every
individual would merely scramble for spoil； and return to Belinian with
a load of plunder for his own use。
We should then be left at Lokko in a foolish position。
After much discussion； they promised to carry the corn to Gondokoro
before commencing operations against Lokko； but I at once perceived by
their manner； that they had not the slightest intention of performing
any such contract。 They felt that their scheme had been found out。
Although Africans are notoriously cunning and treacherous； they have not
sufficient patience or self…sacrifice to enable them to carry out a
perfect scheme。 If the Belinians had wished to succeed in their plan；
they should have willingly carried the corn to Gondokoro； and thus have
established confidence。 In all my experience with African tribes； I have
observed this want of organization in their plans。 Like ignorant
chess…players； they only think of the first few moves； and thus are at a
loss when suddenly checked。
Of course I had no intention of attacking Lokko； as I had no complaint
against him； and although a Bari； he was a chief who had always behaved
well to the Austrian missionaries。 This portion of the Bari tribe；
instead of being sixteen miles； was at least thirty from the north of
Belinian； and was situated on the White Nile； where the sheik； Lokko；
was known to the traders as 〃Oom Nickla。〃
The following extracts from my journal will at once explain the state of
affairs。 The natives had lost their chance； and feeling that their
treachery had been discovered； they never came to me again：
〃September 22； 1871。No natives will come near us。 Abou Saood arrived
with forty men to ask my permission that he might start for Khartoum。
〃September 23。The natives； disappointed in their trick； will have
nothing to say to us。〃
On the 25th September the natives treacherously attacked an unarmed
soldier。 This man had strayed a few hundred yards from the camp； against
orders； to search for wild thyme。 A native met him and accosted him by
the welcome 〃Adotto julio。〃 The soldier advanced close； when the
treacherous Bari immediately shot an arrow into him。 This passed through
his arm with such force that more than half the length of the arrow
protruded on the other side。 The soldier shouted for help； and the Bari
decamped as he saw others running to the rescue。
On the same day； two women were attacked when they went to fetch water；
and their clothes were stolen by the natives。
On September 27； an artilleryman went to the river about 400 yards
distant to fetch water； alone。 This was quite contrary to orders。 The
thoughtless fellow left his musket on the bank while he descended to the
sandy bed； through which trickled a clear stream。
He was watched by the natives who were lying in wait； concealed by the
high dhurra。 These rascals suddenly rushed out and speared him to death。
The man screamed so loudly before he died； that a number of soldiers
rushed to his assistance from the camp； but they were only in time to
bring in his body。
This was at 4 P。M。； and I observed natives armed； who were hovering
about on all sides。
I sounded the bugle； and attacked them without delay； destroying several
stockades。 It is impossible to come to any terms with such treacherous
people。 In spite of my kindness and wish to do good and to benefit their
country； they requite me with the murder of any unarmed man whom they
can find。
〃September 29。I attacked a position on the mountain。 Having fired
several rockets from the base； into a station about 350 feet above； I
ordered the troops to advance from two sides。 My men scrambled quickly
up the rocks and destroyed the station。
〃September 30。A few days ago； the soldiers purposely burnt several
granaries full of corn； and threatened to kill Sherroom and Morgian； my
Bari interpreters； if they should report the act to me； saying； 'If the
corn is finished； we shall all go back to Khartoum。'〃
〃This proves that the old spirit against the expedition still exists。
The men take their cue from the officers。〃
In spite of the general discontent； I could place the greatest reliance
upon the 〃Forty Thieves〃 and their officers。 This little corps performed
nearly all the active service。 Their red shirts had become so well
known； that the colour was enough to keep the natives at a distance； but
although the Baris were now afraid to risk a stand…up fight； they
troubled us by their stealthy tactics。 It was impossible to say where
they were concealed。 They were spread all over the country： some hidden
in the tall dhurra； others behind bushes。 Their favourite place was in
the grass and scattered bush on the banks of the river； where they lay
in wait for any unlucky soldier whose disobedience of orders led him to
tempt his fate。
It seemed almost as impossible to clear the country of these people； as
to purge Africa from snakes。 Patrols were of little service； as the
natives lay as closely concealed as hares in form。
I determined at length to meet them with their own tactics：
They occupied the neighbourhood in ambush。 。 。I would also lie in
ambush。 This system of ambuscade employed so generally by the Baris had
created a wholesome alarm among the troops； which tended to obedience。
They now began to appreciate the orders that no one should stray alone
from the camp； and that the watering party should consist of a powerful
guard。 At the same time； the surprises that had occurred had somewhat
shaken their confidence。
I called the 〃Forty Thieves〃 together。 These fine fellows always took
a great interest in their work。
I explained to them the difficulty of fighting against an enemy whose
tactics would not permit a battle； at the same time； I should now
operate against them somewhat upon their own principle； by establishing
a series of sharpshooters who should occupy the neighbourhood； and
render it impossible for the Baris to remain in the country。
My corps was now complete； as I had brought up those who had remained at
Gondokoro； I had thus forty…eight officers and men。 To this force I now
added fifty selected men from the line； and marched them away from camp。
Upon arrival at the broad bed of the river； I explained to them the
plan。 The natives generally approached unperceived by means of this
winding trench； which entirely